Page 128 - TH130 Kingdom of God A4 Final

The Kingdom of God

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look,
the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”… Then John
gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as
a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except
that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man
on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will
baptize with the Holy Spirit.’” (John 1:29, 32–33, emphasis added)

According to this passage, Jesus’ ministry would involve two great
redemptive acts. First, as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of
the world,” Jesus would lay down His life as a sacrifice for all mankind.
In doing this, He would open the way for all people to be saved. He is,
indeed, “the Savior of the world” (John 4:42; 1 John 4:14).

Next, as the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit, Jesus would
empower His church to take that same message of redemption to the
nations. Not only would Jesus pay the price for the world’s redemption,
He would give His followers the power they needed to carry that message
to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

Jesus’ Ministry in the Spirit

Jesus was anointed by the Spirit. He thus performed His kingdom
ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist testified
concerning Him, “For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of
God, for God gives the Spirit without limit” (John 3:34). Jesus thus began
His ministry with a pronouncement:

The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18–19)

In this pronouncement, Jesus outlined the content and character of His
earthly ministry. He would proclaim the good news in the Spirit’s power.
This proclamation would result in people being healed, delivered, and
set free from their bondage.

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